Elders and Young Men

Below is a quote from Alexander Strauch's book on Biblical Eldership.  I found it to be very insightful!

The younger men who are diligently working--eager for change and further service--are the ones who are most likely to conflict with the church elders.  Polycarp, in his letter to the Philippian congregation, also encouraged the younger men to submit to the elders: "In like manner also the younger men must be blameless in all things...submitting yourselves to the presbyters and deacons as to God and Christ."  If the eldership is stagnant or ineffective, the younger men are the ones who are most likely to be discontent.  Peter David's vivid portrayal of the natural tension between young people and the church elders bears repeating:

It appears best, therefore, to see the "younger" here as the youthful people in the church...Such younger people are often (but not necessarily) junior leaders, ready to learn from and assist those directing the church...but their very readiness fro service and commitment can make them impatient with the leaders, who either due to pastoral wisdom or the conservatism that often comes with age are not ready to move as quickly or as radically as they are.  It would be quite fitting to address such people with an admonition to be subject to their elders.  Indeed, particularly in a time of persecution their willingness to take radical stands without considering the consequences could endanger the church.

The best training a Christian young man can have in preparation for church leadership is to first learn to submit to those in spiritual leadership.  A spiritually keen young man can gain invaluable wisdom and leadership skills through the experience of older, godly men, even if they are not paragons of leadership excellence (which most are not).

Bibliography 

Strauch, Alexander. Biblical Eldership. Littleton, CO: Lewis and Roth Publishers, 1995. (accessed November 20, 2012).

 

 

Gift Envy

We read in the word of God that every Christian has at least one gift (Rom. 12:6-8).  God the Holy Spirit has implanted at least one gift to take up residence in us and to be exercised in the body of Christ.  The Scriptures also teach that different measures of this gift are distributed (Rom. 12:3).  For instance two people can have the gift of teaching while one is a better teacher.  This is the reality of how God works!  Imagine of all of us were the best teachers in the world...there would be no one to teach!  In addition the Bible reveals that some have more than one gift when the Lord imparts a ministry gift(s) to them.  These ministries gifts are commonly referred to as the evangelist, pastor and teacher (there are a few more, but we will just focus on these three).  The Lord calls a few men within the local body of Christ to take on one of these public ministry gifts.

There is a strong tendency in this day and age to elevate the public ministry leader in an unhealthy way.  There seems to be this idea that those with ministry gifts are more spiritually committed than those without.  This is nonsense!  A person who is given the GIFT to be an evangelist, pastor or a teacher is simply being obedient to the Lord.  They are not doing something extraordinary!  Now, the office they are filling is extraordinary, but they themselves are servants of the Lord just attempting to follow the calling of the Lord like every other believer.

Another tendency is to view those with public ministry gifts as more important than others that serve in the local church.  Now, I must be clear on another point again.  These offices as vitally important to the church and certainly do rank higher than others, but the person filling these offices should never be viewed as some spiritual elitist.  A person who works their job during the day and cleans the toilets of the church at night is just as important in the body of Christ as the public minister.  Every member of the physical body is important and is there for a reason just as every member of the church is.  Our duty as members of the body is to figure out which part of the body we are at and begin to use it!  Seek out your gift, exercise it and thank the Lord for the gift(s) He has given to others.

A Parent's Regrets

The Bible speaks clearly on the importance of training young minds in the truth of the Scriptures.  It is my holy resolution that the little ones under my influence will know the whole counsel of God.  My wife and I intercede daily that their little souls will be saved early in life.  Let us not neglect our duties as parents lest we live with the regret of one young women converted under Charles Spurgeon's ministry.  Spurgeon shared a conversation with this women in one of his sermons:

I shall never forget the anguish of a poor illiterate woman whom I had been the means of leading to Christ.  She was rejoicing in Christ when I had seen her before, but when I saw her next she was in great sorrow and bondage of spirit, and I said to her, "What aileth thee?"  She replied, "My children! my children!  They are all grown up, and they are all ungodly.  I brought them up as well as I could; but, woe's me, I never thought about their souls.  I did all I could to comfort her; but I can only say to younger persons while they still  have their little ones about, never let the occasion go (Spurgeon 56-57).

Salvation is a sovereign work of grace.  Ultimately it is in the Lord's hand to regenerate a soul causing them to put their faith in Christ Jesus.  Let us not use this as an excuse to neglect our duties.  May we not embrace the leaven of hyper-calvinism which has no course for pleading with souls and praying for them.  Woe is us if we do not do all we can the win the souls of our children to Christ Jesus!

Bibliography

Spugeon, Charles. 12 Sermons to Young People. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1976. (accessed November 2, 2012).